How does the presence of mid ocean ridges give evidence of continental drift
The presence of mid-ocean ridges, which are underwater mountain ranges, is evidence of continental drift because these ridges are formed at divergent plate boundaries where tectonic plates are moving away from each other. As the plates move apart, magma from the mantle rises to the surface, creating new crust and causing the ocean floor to spread and expand. This process is known as seafloor spreading.
The theory of seafloor spreading was a key piece of evidence supporting the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener. It explains how new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and spreads away from these ridges, carrying the continents with them. This process helps to explain the movement of continents over time and the formation of the current configuration of Earth's continents.
In summary, the presence of mid-ocean ridges and the process of seafloor spreading provide direct evidence of the movement of tectonic plates and support the theory of continental drift.